Detroit Lions WR Ryan Broyles feeling stronger after latest injury

Detroit Lions receiver Ryan Broyles sustained his second knee injury last season, but believes he is further ahead this offseason. AP File Photo

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions receiver Ryan Broyles is on the sidelines once again during organized team activities.

However, Broyles believes he is much further ahead this year.

Broyles, a second-round pick in 2012, missed a portion of OTAs after sustaining an ACL injury during his senior year at Oklahoma. He participated in training camp, but was inactive during Detroit's season opener against the St. Louis Rams. Broyles continued to progress until he suffered another knee injury (opposite leg) last year.

Despite the latest setback, Broyles participated in individual drills during OTAs this week, and is very comfortable with his rehabilitation.

"I definitely rushed last year," Broyles said. "I was running in 3½ months on full speed, cutting routes. This time I have a little bit more rest, heal up my patella. I feel a lot stronger at this point this year than I did last year."

Lions coach Jim Schwartz was asked if Broyles' recovery was on target with his expectations, and would only acknowledge his satisfaction with the progression.

"There's no such thing as a target, but yeah, he's making good progress," Schwartz said. "He's working through. He's almost in the same position he's in last year, with the exception that he knows the offense. He had a little bit of experience last year. He had some playing time, and he made some plays for us, so its' just a matter of getting healthy.

"Last year, he was trying to get healthy and also trying to learn a playbook and trying to sort of earn his way onto the team. He's in a little bit different situation; he's just trying to get healthy. He's doing a little bit more each day, but we'll probably be into training camp before we really see anything from him."